Convention Center Site Moved Developer Eyes Hanover Twp.

June 25, 1986|by DAN SHOPE, The Morning Call

When the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority turned down plans by Altemose Construction Co. to build a $27-million convention center at Allentown- Bethlehem-Easton Airport last year, Frank Altemose refused to be discouraged.

Despite the rejection, the firm's vice president for development has taken his blueprints and set them on another piece of ground.

That ground, 40.4 acres located less than a mile southwest of A-B-E Airport,may soon be housing an even more progressive hotel and convention center.

"In areas like the Lehigh Valley, there is room for one good, full- service hotel and convention center," said Altemose, whose company completed the Valley Forge Convention Center, where it is based, in 1984. "And since there isn't one, yet, we plan to be it."

Altemose's proposed site abuts the south edge of Route 22 and the Allendale Apartments in Hanover Township (Lehigh Co.). It will have access to Irving and Lloyd streets.

But before the project can begin, the company must get the site changed from residential to planned unit development.

Whether Altemose can start developing the heavily-wooded site will be determined during a public hearing on the zoning map ordinance in the Hanover Township Municipal Building on July 9. The township has notified 35 nearby property owners of their right to voice possible concerns at that time.

But Altemose is confident the proposal will pass - so confident that his company has signed a 66-year lease with an option to buy the property from Ulrich A. Both of Cheltenham. Though the hotel will occupy only 17 1/2 acres, Altemose said the option includes the purchase of the surrounding 23 acres.

"This building is basically the same as our proposal at the airport," Altemose said.

"But on this one, we're planning nine stories, since it will not be in the flight path of the airport. It will overlook the Lehigh Valley and really make use of the elevation there. People on Route 22 and those at the airport will be able to see it.

"(As with the airport plan) it will have 288 rooms. It will have an atrium of 6,000 square feet, which will have a restaurant and coffee shop. Below the atrium will be a ballroom and meeting rooms totaling 6,000 square feet.

"Then there will be a link area, wherea kitchen, service facilities and a night club will be built. Finally, there will be a convention and exhibition center measuring 50,000 square feet."

Cost of the new project will be $25 million - $2 million less than the proposal at the airport and $8 million more than the Valley Forge center. Altemose said his company will attempt to obtain industrial development financing.

Though the company had not yet decided which hotel chain would represent the facility, Altemose said "we're considering one of the big, national franchises. Right now, I'm at Quality Inn headquarters."

Brian Coleman, Hanover Township's borough manager, said Altemose first explained his intentions during a town council meeting on Feb. 12.

"He realized after his presentation that this would require a zoning-map change," Coleman said. "In May, Frank sent a letter to the township requesting the amendment and it was brought up in our council meeting on May 14. It was referred to the Lehigh-Northampton County Planning Commission and the Hanover Township Planning Commission."

After meetings of the commissions in late May, an ordinance was drafted by Hanover Township and introduced at its council meeting June 11. This will be followed by the upcoming public hearing.

"If the council elects to adopt the change after this public hearing, Altemose will be allowed to submit his development plans to the township," Coleman said.

"If the five council members vote his ordinance down, everything would be dead."